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American Civil Warstaff officer's sword

made in Chicopee, Massachusetts

This sword belonged to the Young Irelander and Waterfordian Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher founder of the Irish Brigade in the Union Army in the American Civil War. It is an ornate staff officer’s sword with two decorated panels, one with a spread wing eagle and another with a large US etched onto the blade. The sword was made by the Ames Manufacturing Company, Chicopee, Massachusetts.

Did You Know?

​Meagher was one of the pall-bearers at the funeral of Abraham Lincoln President of the United States of America and was also one of the lawyers in the first case in American history where the accused was acquitted on the grounds of temporary insanity.

Meagher flew the Irish tricolour for the first time in Ireland on 33, The Mall where an Irish flag flies to this day.

The Meagher family home was the now Granville Hotel but he later lived (and was arrested in) a house opposite the Bishop's Palace on the Mall now Sabaii restaurant, marked by a blue plaque.

The sword and other regalia was presented to Waterford Corporation in August 1886 by Meagher’s widow, Elizabeth.